Why You Should Make Prioritizing Fitness a Priority

Over the past few months, my life has been challenging and exhausting! Not all that long ago I saw a quote that has stuck in my head. It said, “They say that God only gives us what we can handle. Apparently, God thinks I am a badass.” At this point, I am one hell of a badass! But I digress… One of the reasons I have been able to keep it all together is because I have made prioritizing fitness my top priority during this time.

There have been days that getting a run in is almost impossible but I still did it. I knew I would feel better if I did. I will be crystal clear here, it wasn’t easy and sometimes other things had to fall by the wayside. However, there isn’t on run that I regret. As for the things that had to fall by the wayside, I don’t even recall what they were.

Why is prioritizing fitness important? Because being active…

Increases energy

Improves your mood

Reduces stress

Helps you sleep better

I mean who doesn’t want to have more energy, a better mood, less stress, and sleep better? I know what you are thinking! You are thinking prioritizing fitness stresses me out! I am so busy and adding one more thing to my life will send me over the edge.

I am here to tell you, I used to think the same thing. However, I now know you can make time if you want. But how do you do that? Here are six tips to help you start prioritizing fitness!

Tips to Help You Start Prioritizing Fitness

1. Determine Your Why

Ask yourself two questions.

Question 1 – Why do you want to make fitness a priority? Once you ask yourself this question, write down all of your answers. Then ask yourself question number two.

Why write them down? Because putting them on paper makes you really aware of what you are thinking. It also can change your thought process. You may realize that your first whys are much stronger than your second whys. And there is a small chance you realize that right now you’re just too busy to make prioritizing fitness an actual priority (I would challenge you on that! See tip number 4 & 5 on the prioritizing fitness list!)

2. Start Small

Prioritizing fitness doesn’t mean you have to up-end your life to fit it in. I suggest starting small! Go for a 15 minute walk, do 15 minutes of body weight work (squats, sit-ups, lunges, etc.), or go to the park with your kids and chase them around! In fact, by starting small you are much more likely to stick to a routine! And that leads me to number three.

3. Create a Routine

Create a routine that works for you! For some that may look like going for a walk every day around the same lake for 20 minutes. For others, it may be that every morning at 6:30 am they workout but are doing something different each day. Find something that works for you.

4. Schedule Your Fitness

Creating a routine takes time! So, while you are in the process of creating that routine schedule your fitness! You are being intentional when you write or electronically schedule your fitness. In turn, you are making fitness a priority and will be much more likely to hold yourself accountable. This also helps when things come up! You will really think about what your priority is!

My actual schedule. Now, it was hailing when I went out to run today. So I will be moving my run to this evening…

5. Quality Over Quantity

And let’s face it. There are going to be times that you are short on time. And when that happens a good focused activity is better than nothing! For me, if I am shorter on time, cutting my 5 mile run back to 2 miles and getting some speed work in is a better option than not doing anything.

6. Have Fun

And most important find something you enjoy! You will never make prioritizing fitness a priority if you hate what you are doing!

I promise you will thank yourself when you start prioritizing fitness! You are going to have more energy, a better mood, less stress, and sleep better! Let’s be honest, life is just going to be better!

Are you prioritizing fitness? Do you have tips to share? Or what are your struggles in prioritizing fitness?

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Comments

I couldn’t agree more with ‘quality over quantity.’ It can be tempting when things get crazy to think all or nothing and consider not doing any workout when you can’t do the full workout you had planned. But even 10 minutes of stretching can do a world of good when things get crazy.

Hello! My name is Missy, and I am the blogger behind Getting Fit to Find Myself. I live in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) with my fiancé, Justin, and my dog, Baylee. This blog came out of a want, I wanted a place to talk about how my fitness and weight loss journeys have helped shape who I am today. Read More…